Induction of hepatic tumors with butylated hydroxyanisole in the self-fertilizing hermaphroditic fish Rivulus ocellatus marmoratus.

The three-day-old larvae of self-fertilizing hermaphroditic fish Rivulus ocellatus marmoratus were fed a diet containing the antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) at levels of 0.01-0.8% for 12 days. Six months after BHA administration, hepatic tumors were found in all groups of BHA-treated fish. The BHA-induced tumor incidences were clearly dose-dependent. These results show that dietary BHA is hepatocarcinogenic in Rivulus even at 0.01% dose.